Post by TellingBird on Jul 20, 2008 14:02:30 GMT 9.5
Sunglasses: More Than a Fashion Statement
By Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness
Dr. Rob, MSN Health Expert
Q: I recently found a pair of sunglasses that look great on me. The tag said the glasses offer UV400 protection. Is this the protection I need?
A: With all the focus on protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, it¡¦s good to remember that your eyes need protection too. Intense and short-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVA or UVB light rays) has the potential to cause photokeratitis, a painful burn to the surface of our eyes (something like an eye sunburn) that may also cause a temporary form of blindness (think bright sun reflecting off snow).
Even if you escape that type of damage, persistent and long-term irritation from UV radiation has the potential to lead to vision robbing conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, as well as skin cancer around the eyes and on the lids.
The lowdown on UV
„h Sunlight contains ultraviolet A and B radiation (UVA and UVB).
„h UV light is most intense late morning to mid-afternoon, from 10 am to 4 pm.
„h Window glass (unless it contains a special coating) does absorb UV radiation. This makes it especially important to wear sunglasses while driving or as a passenger in cars, buses, etc.
„h UV intensity is highest in summer months, at higher altitudes, and closest to the equator.
„h Eye damage from UV light can occur on cloudy days.
Shopping for sunglasses
When you hit the sunglass racks, remember that lens color (dark or mirrored) doesn't necessarily mean better protection from UV rays. In fact, dark lenses have the potential to distort colors, even the red and green on traffic lights. The darker the lenses, the greater the chance your pupils (dark part of the eye) will dilate and let in more damaging UV light. That said, it might be best to consider amber, neutral gray, brown or green colored lenses.
When it comes to polarized lenses, they do have the potential to minimize glare, but by themselves, don't block UV rays. No matter what the color lens or whether or not they are polarized, the most important factor is to make sure your sunglasses block 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays, or simply state, "provides 100% UV protection" or "UV400 protection."
Here are some tips to remember: „h Expensive doesn't mean better.Choose sunglasses with lenses that are impact-resistant and made of polycarbonate.
„h Remember to outfit your kids with a good pair of sunglasses. They need the same protection that you do.
„h Ensure the sunglasses fit properly and shield the eyes from all angles (this helps to decrease eye exposure to reflected light and glare).
„h Look for large or wrap-around lenses.
„h Even though many contact lenses have some degree of UV protection, it is still important to wear sunglasses.
„h If you wear prescription lenses, please speak with your ophthalmologist, optometrist, optician or eye care specialist regarding special UV coatings or prescription sunglasses.
Other factors in eye protection
While wearing sunglasses on sunny days makes a lot of sense, eye protection on cloudy days is important too. The reflections that occur against sand, parking lots, snow, and water can produce the same sun damage to your eyes.
In addition to reflected light, there are medical reasons and/or medications that can cause your eyes to be more sensitive to the effects of UV light. These include but aren¡¦t limited to the following:
„h Those who have already had cataract surgery or who have other retinal disorders.
„h Certain medications (some quinolone type antibiotics, tetracycline, sulfa drugs, birth control pills, diuretics, tranquilizers and others)
„h Children's eyes are even more sensitive to potential damage from UV rays. Given the time kids spend outside, unprotected UV exposure can build up over time and lead to increased vision problems during the adult years. Best bets While outside, the best way to protect your eyes is to wear a broad-rimmed hat (can reduce up to 50% of reflected light) and wrap-around sunglasses (added protection from reflected light getting in through the sides). Not only that, but wrap-around sunglasses with overhead shields can also provide greater protection against skin cancer around the eyes or on the eyelids.
By Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness
Dr. Rob, MSN Health Expert
Q: I recently found a pair of sunglasses that look great on me. The tag said the glasses offer UV400 protection. Is this the protection I need?
A: With all the focus on protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, it¡¦s good to remember that your eyes need protection too. Intense and short-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVA or UVB light rays) has the potential to cause photokeratitis, a painful burn to the surface of our eyes (something like an eye sunburn) that may also cause a temporary form of blindness (think bright sun reflecting off snow).
Even if you escape that type of damage, persistent and long-term irritation from UV radiation has the potential to lead to vision robbing conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, as well as skin cancer around the eyes and on the lids.
The lowdown on UV
„h Sunlight contains ultraviolet A and B radiation (UVA and UVB).
„h UV light is most intense late morning to mid-afternoon, from 10 am to 4 pm.
„h Window glass (unless it contains a special coating) does absorb UV radiation. This makes it especially important to wear sunglasses while driving or as a passenger in cars, buses, etc.
„h UV intensity is highest in summer months, at higher altitudes, and closest to the equator.
„h Eye damage from UV light can occur on cloudy days.
Shopping for sunglasses
When you hit the sunglass racks, remember that lens color (dark or mirrored) doesn't necessarily mean better protection from UV rays. In fact, dark lenses have the potential to distort colors, even the red and green on traffic lights. The darker the lenses, the greater the chance your pupils (dark part of the eye) will dilate and let in more damaging UV light. That said, it might be best to consider amber, neutral gray, brown or green colored lenses.
When it comes to polarized lenses, they do have the potential to minimize glare, but by themselves, don't block UV rays. No matter what the color lens or whether or not they are polarized, the most important factor is to make sure your sunglasses block 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays, or simply state, "provides 100% UV protection" or "UV400 protection."
Here are some tips to remember: „h Expensive doesn't mean better.Choose sunglasses with lenses that are impact-resistant and made of polycarbonate.
„h Remember to outfit your kids with a good pair of sunglasses. They need the same protection that you do.
„h Ensure the sunglasses fit properly and shield the eyes from all angles (this helps to decrease eye exposure to reflected light and glare).
„h Look for large or wrap-around lenses.
„h Even though many contact lenses have some degree of UV protection, it is still important to wear sunglasses.
„h If you wear prescription lenses, please speak with your ophthalmologist, optometrist, optician or eye care specialist regarding special UV coatings or prescription sunglasses.
Other factors in eye protection
While wearing sunglasses on sunny days makes a lot of sense, eye protection on cloudy days is important too. The reflections that occur against sand, parking lots, snow, and water can produce the same sun damage to your eyes.
In addition to reflected light, there are medical reasons and/or medications that can cause your eyes to be more sensitive to the effects of UV light. These include but aren¡¦t limited to the following:
„h Those who have already had cataract surgery or who have other retinal disorders.
„h Certain medications (some quinolone type antibiotics, tetracycline, sulfa drugs, birth control pills, diuretics, tranquilizers and others)
„h Children's eyes are even more sensitive to potential damage from UV rays. Given the time kids spend outside, unprotected UV exposure can build up over time and lead to increased vision problems during the adult years. Best bets While outside, the best way to protect your eyes is to wear a broad-rimmed hat (can reduce up to 50% of reflected light) and wrap-around sunglasses (added protection from reflected light getting in through the sides). Not only that, but wrap-around sunglasses with overhead shields can also provide greater protection against skin cancer around the eyes or on the eyelids.